Gardening varies depending on geographical locations. Soil, climate, and rainfall are key factors in which flowers can grow in an area. For example a cactus requires less water so they flourish in deserts. When gardening in the Midwest you will have to take climate, rainfall, and soil into consideration.

Climate - Climate in the Midwest is generally a bit cooler that most southern states. Most areas of the Midwest boast four true seasons like the Northeast. Hot summers and cold winters are found in the Midwest. Most flowers die off in the winter and fall months and thrive in the summer and spring months. The Midwestern states consist of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. When choosing your plants and flowers, pay close attention to your annual and perennial selections. The term annual is applied to garden flowers that complete their life cycle in the span of one growing season. This means they come up in the spring, grow, flower, set seed and die after the fall frost. The perennial term is used to describe plants and flowers that live longer than two years. Perennials grow and bloom over the spring and summer and then die back every autumn and winter. They bloom again in the spring from their root-stock rather than seeding themselves like annual plants.

Rainfall - The amount of rainfall in the Midwest can vary every year. Some years are dry and some years are soaked to the bone. The top 5 states that receive the most rainfall in the Midwest are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin. If you are experiencing a usually dry season be ready to water your flowers every day. Water from a sprinkler is vital in times of dryer weather.

Soil - Moisture levels for the soil in the Midwest depends on the amount of rainfall received. If you are lacking rainfall your moisture levels in your soil will be lower. When the moisture levels are lower in soil it is vital that you use appropriate fertilizers to provide the proper nutrients for your plants and flowers.

The Midwest is probably the easiest place to have a beautiful garden in the spring and summer months. Make sure you balance enough water, sunshine and proper soil and you will have yourself a beautiful Midwestern garden for the spring and summer months.